214 FIELD CROP PBODUCTION 



flowers are carried in a wide-spreading panicle from 4 to 

 8 inches in length, made of numerous spikelets, which are 

 large and contain from 6 to 10 flowers each. The seeds 

 of brome-grass, when thrashed, are retained in the flower- 

 ing glume and palea. The legal weight per bushel for the 

 seed in the United States is 14 pounds. 



202. Distribution and adaptation. — Brome-grass is a 

 native of the north temperate regions of Europe and Asia, 

 where it has been grown for many years. In the United 

 States it does not do well south of the latitude of St. Louis, 

 except in high altitudes. It withstands cold well and is 

 hardy far up in Canada. Brome-grass is noted for its 

 ability to withstand drought, but does not do well in 

 extremely dry climates. It is therefore a valuable grass 

 for the semi-arid regions of the West, and for the cool 

 climate of the Great Plains area of the Northwest and in 

 Canada. While it will grow on a variety of soils, it is not 

 well suited to sandy or loose soils, and does best on moist 

 loams. Brome-grass has not yet become a successful 

 competitor of timothy in the timothy belt. 



203. Usefulness. — Brome-grass is classed among the 

 best hay grasses of Europe. In the United States it is 

 given high rank, but because only small quantities are 

 found on the market, it does not rival timothy. The 

 hay is palatable and is readily eaten by all kinds of live 

 stock. Brome-grass will produce a fine crop of hay for 

 two or three years, after which time it becomes sod-bound 

 and sends up few culms, but continues to produce many 

 short leaves from the nodes near the ground, and thus 

 furnishes excellent pasture. Unlike almost all other 

 grasses, it furnishes an abundance of pasture during the 

 dry summer months, starting early in the spring and 

 growing until late in the fall. It recovers quickly after 



